The no to spring hunting campaign has challenged hunters’ representatives to a public debate, instead of shying away behind campaign spokespersons.

Spring hunting out (Shout) spokesman Saviour Balzan said that the “real hunters” who decimate the countryside with their shotguns are refusing to engage in debate.

He called it a “blatant lie” that a no vote in the 11 April referendum will open the floodgates for other minority rights to be done away with.

Mr Balzan said the Labour and Nationalist Parties have said they will leave it up to the people to decide how to vote in the referendum.

Labour MPs Joe Sammut and Anthony Agius Decelis were both present for the elaborate launch of the hunters’ ‘Yes’ campaign this morning, as were Zurrieq and Qala mayors Ignatius Farrugia and Clint Camilleri.

Mr Balzan said that if politicians are afraid of the hunters, “then us Maltese are not.” A number of MPs have approached the Shout campaign, but are too afraid to speak he said, as hunters threaten them with their vote.  

Speaking outside the law courts, Mr Balzan said a minority group had tried to stop the democratic process of a referendum. 

“Their shotgun is their weapon. Those without proper arguments resort to scaremongering,” he said.

 

Mr Balzan said “hundreds” of hunters have been arraigned in court for their violent behaviour. Last September, rowdy hunters took to the street in protest to a government decision to shorten the hunting season after a number of protected species were killed.